Electron tube system



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ELECTRON TUBE SYSTEM Filed July 29, 1929 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRON TUBE SYSTEM Delaware Application July 29, 1929, Serial No. 381,754

27 Claims.

-my copending application Serial Number 211,292,

filed August 8, 1927 patented Jan. 20, 1931, No.

'Ihe systems of the invention employ a plurality of thermionic devices, three electrode vacuum tubes for example, connected in cascade, and because I connect the devices one to another without the interposition of reactive elements, such as transformers, inductive or capacitive impedance elements, and condensers, I term'the systems direct-coupled; however, in view of the aperodic qualityof the thermionic devices and theno'n-reactive character of the couplings between them the systems may be appropriately termed apex-iodio".

Typical objects of the systems of the invention are the amplification of direct current effects, alternating currents such as sound representing currents, and the detection and amplification of high frequency currents modulated at lower frequency, though the descriptions of the various systems of the invention to follow make obvious that they are capable of many applications in the general treatment of and practice with electrical effects.

` Particularly advantageous features of the direct coupled systems of the invention are freedom from distortion and phase displacement irrespective of current frequencies being handled due to the absence of reactive elements in the linking circuits, and freedom from harmonic generation due to absence of iron or like magnetic material usual to transformer and inductive impedance coupled amplifiers of general usage. A further advantage is the facilitating through absence of distortion and phase displacement of hum elimination in systems involving the energizing of the thermionic devices from commercial alternating current sources.

A particular object of the invention is the insuring of substantially uniform amplification for currents of all frequencies over given wide bands of frequencies, such as the audio frequency band necessary to perfect amplification of sound representing current before reproduction.

Another object is the securing of very high orders of amplification while maintaining stable operation, freedom from oscillation generation, freedom from troublesome signal regeneration or degeneration, avoidance of pick-up of unwanted electrical disturbances, and like effects generally characteristic of highly amplifying systems of reactive construction.

Outstanding features of the systems of the invention are the absence of bulky and expensive elements, and the permissible closeness of location of elements without troublesome reactions, thus providing for assembly constructions heretofore unapproached in compactness, weight and cost while handling high amplification and large energy control hitherto not arrived at with other systems. These features are further enhanced when energizing the thermionic devices from alternating current sources by the small amount of apparatus needed in an associated rectifying and lter system because of most favorable characteristics for obliterating or rendering noneffective so-called hum currents imposed upon the systems in such energizing.

As is pointed out in detail in the descriptive matter following I usually employ output thermionic devices capable of and operated to handle large energy for fully satisfying the operating energy demands of translating devices, such as loud speakers, but for the preceding thermionic devices of the cascade organizations I prefer those designed to have very high internal impedances, so-called high amplification three electrode tubes for example, and so operate such devices as to increase the internal impedances well beyond those normal to the usual operation of such tubes.

For example, I may employ a commercial design of three electrode tube having an amplification constant (termed mu) of 30 which, according to prescribedand usual operation, has its plate electrode energized at 180 volts to produce a space current of the order of one or more milliamperes, or an internal impedance of the order of .1 to .2 megohms. With my use of such a tube I may energize the plate electrode with potentials of the l order of l0, or even less, volts producing a space current of but a few mlcroamperes, thus increasing the tube internal impedance to several megohms.

Because of the effectiveness of the principle of matching internal and external impedances for efficiency of operation of electrical devices the exceedingly high internal impedances of the preceding tubes in my systems forbid the use of reactive devices, such as transformers, inductive impedances and condensers, as coupling devises or aids thereto between successive stages in the systems owing to the impossibility of construeting such devices to produce impedances approaehing megohm values. I therefore resort to resistance elements at locations where impedances are needed, and happily these lations are such that the needed current now through the resistances is extremely low. a few mieroamperes' for example, so that the resistances can be very simple, small and inexpensite without fear of destruction from overheating. For example I use the simple commercial resistances y of the order of 1A megohm, and above, which have long been used extensively as so-called grid-leaks for vacuum tube detectors.

As a practical observation I have found that the commercial types of grid-leak resistances increase their resistance values with age and use to something of the order of 150% oi original resistance structed to have resistance values above 1 megohm will eventualiy open to become substantially innnite in resistance.

While in some of my practice I can use to advantage resistances considerably in excess of 1 megohm, yet as a practical matter the difference between operation at 1- megohm and several megohms has proven minor, so that I have in general confined my practical designs to resistance elements not exceeding 1 megohm values, as is later pointed out. Further, since the efficiency of my systems is generally improved by higher resistance values, systems built with unaged rei sistances will improve in eiliciency with increase of resistance values with age. At the same time the systems can be so designed that the change of resistance that takes place will not interfere with correct operation.

As a further practical observation it is pointed out that because of direct eoupling throughout the systems they are current amplifiers, so that any change in the conditions or actions of one portion or stage of the system to alter direct current ow or effects therein is not locally confined or limited as in the usual multi-stage amplier systems, but makes its effects felt throughout the entire system. For example, the substitution of one tube for another of like make but having a different degree of filament emission will alter the amount of tube space current, or direct current ow, resulting changing internal impedance of the tube and potentials here and there, which effects are ampliedly manifested throughout the entire system. It is a feature of the present inventi-:in that I control these effects, and further include means for the automatic control of them so effective as to permit of tolerances well beyond the requirements for commercial quantity production of such elements as my systems may need for correct assembly.

The automatic control of the direct current effects is further of great importance and practical necessity in installations intended for unskilled i or unattended operation, and particularly in connection with operation for detection and amplification of high frequency modulated signais, a broadcast radio receiver being a good example of such requirement. Since the systems may be employed in the function of detection of such signals rectication of the earrier currents must take place, which rectification biases or changes the grid potentials, thereby sending direct current eiects throughout the system, and this in proportion to the intensity of the carrier current.

aosaias 1 Por example in planned best reprcsiuction from a broadcast receiver the power amplifier or outputtubeisadiusted tooperateinttssignalreproduction activity from the mid-point of the straight portion of the plat-e current characteristic curve in the presenceof an adequate grid bias potential, and no diiliculty presented as to this feature with the usual form of detector and amplifier systems. However, with the direct-coupled detector-amplifier system the rectification of the carrier current impressed upon the input of the first tube sendsv an amplified direct current eilect through the system to alter the plate current of the last tube in proportion to the strength of the carrier and without any automatic corrective means it does not require a very strong signal to drive the plate ycurrent of the power amplifier tube oif the straight portion of the characteristic curve. The automatic corrective features of my invention therefore constitute an important element thereof. f ,l

Other objects, features and advantages of my invention are apparent from the detailed descriptien that follows. No limitations are intended by confining myself 'to specicembodiments thereof fer explanatory purposes. Because the modes and features of operation of my systems involve radical departures from the usual conceptior-ss and practices in the operation of them-omc devices I state the descriptive matter and observations in considerable detail around actual assemblies of elements in many cases of well-known commercial construction and commonly understood characteristics.

linl the gures of the'aecompanying drawings like reference characters present corresponding elements so far as possible throughout the several figures.

Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrates one fimdamental arrangement of my improved electron tube systems suitably connected for investigation of the operational characteristics thereof.

. Fig. 2 includes graphs of the operational characteristics of the system illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 diagrammatically illustrates the system of Fig. 1 modied to operate as a detector-amplier system. V

Fig. 4 iagrammatically illustrates a modification of the system of Fig. 3, incorporating therein a system for regeneration of the amplified curs tem of Fig. 4 to include a frequency selective imp-edance.

Fig. 'I diagrammatically illustratesextension Y of the system of Fig. 4 to one of an odd number of tubes, and provided with an automatic grid bias modifier and system stabilizer.

Fig. 8 diagrammatically illustrates a modification of the system of' Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 diagrammatically illustrates a modification of the system of 8.

Fig. 10 diagrammaticaliy illustrates a modification of the stabilizing arrangements of Figs. 8 and 9.

Fig. 11 diagrammaticady illustrates the use of the stabilizing arrangement of Fig. 10 in the additional function of a stage of amplication preceding the arrangements of Figs. '1, 8 and 9.

Fig. 12 ditically illustrates a modificament tube.

Fig. 13 ,f

:u n the system of Fig. 8 modified to be energized from a source of alternating current, the system vbeing adapted to be employed as a detector-amplifier following a high frequency amplifying system or as an amplifier following a phonograph electri- Ycal pick-up device.

Fig. 14 diagrammatically illustrates a modication of the system of Fig. 13, wherein the stabilizing system is adapted to operate as a stage of ampliiication preceding the amplifier,-

a function similar to the modification described with reference to Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 diagrammatically illustrates changes in the system of Fig. 13 to employ directly heated cathode tubes.

Fig. 16 diagrammatically illustrates a modification of the system .of Fig. 13 wherein automatic stabilization is accomplished without the use of a separate tube.

Fig. 17 graphically shows the importance of automatic continuous alteration of the detector grid-bias with variation in intensity of signal current energy as employed in the system of Fig. 16 and other systems herein.

Fig. 18 diagrammatically illustrates the changes necessary to the system of Fig. 17 to employ an even number of tubes.

Fig. 19 diagrammatically illustrates a modication of the system of Fig. 18 to employ an element having a high temperature-resistance change with current change as a stabilizing device.

Fig. 19a diagrammatically illustrates the substitution of the space current path of an electron tube for the resistance element of Fig. 19, and wherein this tube is utilized as a stage of high frequency amplication. Y

Fig. 20 diagrammatically illustrates a modication of the system of Fig. 19 to employ an odd number of tubes and extending the system to operate an indicator system including an energized field system.

Fig. 21 diagrammatically illustrates the modification of the system of Fig. 19 to employ a four-element tube having a similarfunction to the four-element tube of Fig. 12.

Fig. 22 diagrammatically illustrates the modifications necessary in the system of Fig. 21 to employ an odd number of tubes.

Fig. 23 diagrammatically illustrates a pushpull arrangement of two amplifier systems of the type disclosed in Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 diagrammatically illustratesthe manner of using a substantial positive potential on the grid of the output power amplifier of the system of Fig. 22.

Fig. 25 diagrammatically illustrates the energization of the space current path of a preceding tube from the potential difference developed between the grid and plate of the output tube.

Fig. 25a diagrammatically illustrates the energization of the space current paths of tubes preceding the output tube from the grid current of the output tube.

Fig. 26 diagrammatically illustrates a modification of the system of Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 diagrammatically illustrates another form of self stabilizing system and automatic grid bias control for my improved systems.

Fig. 27a. diagrammatically illustrates a mode of impressing hum components upon the grid-cathode circuit of the input tube of such a phase that hum in the indicating device is obliterated.

Fig. 28 illustrates an ordinary transformer coupled detector-amplier system including arrangement for automatically modifying the grid bias of the detector tube with the aid of a potential developed for biasing the grid of a succeeding tube.

Fig. 29 diagrammatically illustrates the manner of energizing the space discharge paths of a high frequency amplifying system solely from the space discharge current of a low frequency amplifying system.

Fig. 30 diagrammatically illustrates the high frequency amplifying system and detector-amplifying system of Fig. 29 with numerous additional features adapting the system for a high degree of amplification and refinements of operation.

In describing the various flgures I give in many instances constants, values and characteristics of elements in order that one skilled in the art may practice my invention without relying solely upon my expressed theories of operation thereof. From the use of selected elements I have found that there are certain laws generally applicable to the systems herein disclosed, but intend no limitations in the scope of my invention by reason of being more or less specific by way of informatory explanation.

Referring to Fig. 1, VT1 and VT2 are three electrode vacuum tubes having their filaments heated from a common battery A1 with positive and negative terminals asshown. In arriving at the graphs of Fig. 2 with the system of Fig. 1 tube VT1 had the high mu of 38.6 requiring 180 volts plate potential for normal operation, and tube V'Ip the intermediate mu of 8, the battery B2 providing for positively energizing the plate of VTz with its normal rating'of 90 volts. The grid of VIr is connected to the negative leg of the filament of VT1 through a potentiometer P comprising a resistance element R, battery GB1 and variable contact arm l, the battery GB1 being poled negatively towards the grid. The plate of VTi is connected through a battery B1, positive terminal towards VT1, directly to the grid of VT2 when switch SW1 is closed, and through a very high resistance RS when SW1 is open. The results had with using various potentials of B1 will be later explained. The negative 'terminal of B1 can be disconnected from the negative leg of the filament of VTz by opening switch SW2 or connected to the filament of VT; through a very high resistance R2 by closing SW2.

In the graphs of Fig. 2 ordinates represent current in microamperes, Im, in the plate circuit of VT2, and absciss represent negative potential in volts, Ecl, impressed on the grid of VT1 with respect to the negative leg of its filament through variation of position of potentiometer arm l of the system of Fig. l as to graphs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the current being read with the aid of ammeter Am in the plate circuit of VT2.

Graph 1 of Fig. 2 shows the result had with the potential of B1, or the plate potential Em of VT1, equal to zero (B1 not connected in circuit) as the potentiometer P changed the negative potential through the'range of 0 to -4 volt, switch Sun being closed and switch Swz being open. Graph 2 shows the result with the potential of B1, or Epi, equal to 1.5 volts. For graph 3 B1 had 3.0 volts. For graph 4 B1 had 4.5 volts. For graph 5 B1 had 22 volts.

'I'he significance of the results shown by these graphs of Fig. 2 in the matter of the amplifying ability of the system of Fig. 1 is readily appreciated by examining graph 4 lobtained with the insignificant potential of 4.5 volts in B1. This graph shows that in changing the grid potential from 1.7 to 2.0 volts, a change of .3 volt, the plate current varies uniformly from 50 microamperes to 800micro-amperes, or "750 microamperes.

The remarkableness of the performance of Fig, 1 is better appreciated by comparing these graphs, graph 4 for example, with the normal grid potential-plate current curves of the tubes VT1 and VTz used in Fig. 1 taken for each tube separately. In Fig. 2 graph 6 is the grid potential-plate current curve of V'Iz, and graph 1' the same curve for VT1, the tubes having plate potentials of about 100 volts and 180 volts respectively, for normal operation as amplifiers in makingthese curves. For these two graphs the abscissae of Fig.,2 represent negative voltson the grid while the ordinates represent the resulting plate current flow in `the same tube (usual Ec--IP curves of'three electrode tubes).

It is particularly interesting to note from the like steepness of the rising portions of graphs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Fig. 2 that the amplifying ability of the system of Fig. 1 is substantially independent of the potential on the plate of VT1, being almost as high with zero volts as with 22 volts. The real advantage of increasing the potential en the plate of VT1 is to increase the range of control of the plate current of VTz, though substantially complete range is had with but 4.5 volts, the difference between 4.5 .volts and 22 volts being substantially negligible. Clearly the filament-to-plate impedance'of VT1 is enormous with a plate potential of but 4.5 volts drawing a plate current of the order of but a few microamperes.

To investigate the filament-to-grid impedance of VTz, switch'SW1 is open, thus bringing resistance Rs in serieswith the lament-to-grid impedance of VT1. I have found that with the resistance of Rs as high as 10 megohrns, the graphs of Fig. 2 plot substantially the same as shown for the condition of SW1 closed, thus indicating that the lament-to-grid impedance of VTz is greatly in excess of l0 megohms.

WithV the switch SW2 open, there appeared to be a slight tendency towards instability of the system of Fig. 1 at potentials of B1 above 4.5 volts. Upon closure of SW2 to introduce resistance R2 across the grid and filament electrodes of VTz, it is found that this slight tendency towards instability is eliminated with the use of even very high values of resistance Rz. The eiect of the use of a resistance R2 on the graphs of Fig, 2 is to cause a shift of the lower horizontal branches of the graphs towards higher :values of plate current of VTz, somewhat as shown by the dotted line Z commencing at the point Y on curve 2. The higher the value of R2, the lower the point Y occurs on the graph. I have investigated the system of Fig. 1 with. values of Rz ranging from 50 megohms down to below one megohm. The value of 5() megohms satisfactorily cures the slight tendency towards instability and, at the same time, preserves practically the entire length of the steep portions of the graphs of Fig. 2, so that for maximum range of operation a resistance for R2 of the order'of 50 megohms is preferable. However, as previ- Fig. 2 is not materially raised when employing values of R2 in the neighborhood of one megohm and less, and since commercial resistances of these values merely increase their-resistance a maximum of about 50% with ageand use without opening up, I recommend as a practical matter the employment of resistances at Rn not exceeding one megohm in value kuntil improved manufacture permits the use of the more desirable higher values. In the descriptions of the additional gures to follow it will be understocd, unless stated to the contrary, that Rz has a value of one megohm. l

From the foregoing, it is apparent that with the grid potential of tube VT1 selected to set the plate current of tubeVTz at about the midpoint of any one of the graphs of Fig. 2, that any variation of potential impressed upon the grid circuit of VT1 will result in a highly amplifled reproduction of these variations of impressed potential, and it makes no difference whether these impressed potential variations are derived from direct current effects or alternating current effects. For example the variations on the grid of VT1 may be the currents of high frequency signals, medium or high frequency modulated carriers or audio frequencies, and be ampliedly or amplifiedly and rectiedly reproduced by a suitable translating device substituted for the ammeter Am in the output circuit Of VTz. n

Examination cf the system of Fig. 1 shows that it includes no reactive devices other than the dis-V tributed capacity of the elements and wires necessary for making upy the system. Since the three-electrode tubes are aperiodio devices and the resistances are aperiodic elements, the system as a whole may be termed for all practical effects aperiodic, or may be said to operate with unity power factor.

Examination of Figs. 1 and 2 also makes it clear that the system must be treated as a self-contained unit, rather than as a plurality of units or stages as is the case in the usual form of amplifier. The graphs of Fig. 2 clearly show that the plate current flow of VT1-is eminently dependent upon the grid potential of VT1. Also, that a change of potential elsewhere, such as the potential of B1, must be taken care of. Forexample, with the potential of B1 equal to 22 volts, the potential on the grid of VT1 must be set at about minus 3 volts in order to arrive at the midpoint of the plate current curve of VTz, while for a potential of B1 equal to 4.5 volts, the grid potential of VT1 to arrive at the midpoint of the Yplate current curve of VTz is about minus 1.87

requiring an intimate knowledge of local and over-all effects. f

The importance of these matters will become more apparent as the system is further developed for automatic control and for energizing the thermionic devices from alternating current' sources.

Fig. 1 clearly points out its wholly inexpensive character. There is a total absence of iron and expensive windings thereon, the resistances used in lieu thereof being of the very cheapest charaeter. There are no tuned or approximately tuned circuits to interact with one another, thus eliminating the cost ofV spacing inter-acting elements. The batteries, or other sources of energizing, are called' upon for absurdly small current drain, and the particular advantage of this will later be apparent in the descriptions of the systems involving energizing from alternating current sources. The absence of iron and windings eliminates entirely the matter of inductive pickups from nearby electrical disturbances, leaving only the very small electrostatic pick-ups of the connecting wires and elements. The cheapness and ease of shielding against electrostatic pickups as compared to electromagnetic pick-ups are well known, and operate in a major way to the advantage of the direct-coupled form of amplifier of Fig. 1, a feature which will be further discussed with emphasis in connection with systems having the thermionic devices energized from alternating current sources.

Fig. 3 is the equivalent of Fig. 1 when switches Swi and Swz are closed with the exception that I have shown a signal or like input system by way of a transformer T for example, which input arrangement may be designed for any order of high or low frequencies. When the signal input is high frequency, such as radio, a tuning ccndenser TC shown in dotted lines may be usefully employed, and I also prefer to use a signal current by-pass condenser C1 shown in dotted lines of suitable low impedance directly connecting the input to the filament of VT1 to have the signal currents avoid the potentiometer P. Another exception is the battery GBz in series with resistance R2, which may be dispensed with in favor of a direct connection of R2 tothe positive side f the filament system by means of a connection 25 through a switch SW3. Ammeter Am in the plate circuit of VTz may be replaced by a sound translating device if desired.

In one embodiment of the system of Fig. 3, I used as VIH a commercial tube known as type 340 having a rated mu of 30 at 180 volts plate potential, as VTz a commercial tube' known as type 371 having a rated mu of 31/2 at 180 volts plate potential and requiring about 45 negative volts grid bias for operation as an amplifier. Be-

cause of the high grid bias required by VT: battery B1 was given a potential of 67 volts, and battery B2 the 180 volts'normalplate potential for VTz. Battery GBz was arranged to vary from 22 volts downward.

The system of Fig. 3 operates most effectively either as an audio or other low frequency amplifier, or asa detector and amplifier of radio or like carrier currents modulated at audio frequency when the potential on the grid of VT1 is adjusted by potentiometer P. The detector action was found to be most eicient with the negative potential on the grid of VT1`reduced to substantially that due to the connection to the negative leg of the filament.

While I have found a value for Rz of about 25 megohms was preferable, as stated in connection with Fig. 1, I found that reducing R2 to the ccmmercially safe value of 1 megohm did not materially alter the results. Some slight advantage is had by connecting the battery GBz positively to the grid of VTz, but I found that practically all of the advantage gained was had by connecting to the positive side of the filament system in lieu of using GBz as shown by the connection 25.

When modulated or unmodulated radio carrier currents are impressed upon the grid of VT; there results a decided permanent decrease in the plate current of VTz, this being accompanied by an increase in the plate current of VTi. These effects increase in proportion to the strength of the carrier, so that for a given grid potential of VT1 to initially set the plate current of VTz at the mid-point of the plate current characteristic curve, it does not require a very strong broadcast signal for example to drive the plate current of VTz to the lower bend of its curve with resulting tonal distortion. The difficulty is easily overcome by negatively increasing the potential of the grid of VTi the desired amount to restore the plate current of VT2 to the mid-point of its curve by means of potentiometer P, but it is an important feature of my invention that I provide automatic means for making the correction to be later described.

Whether or not the rectification that is responsible for detection takes place entirely in one part ofthe system or is a progressive function throughout the system is not clear; nor have I any theory to offer as to why an adjustment that will most effectively amplify audio frequency currents without rectification will most effectively detect and amplify modulated carrier currents. Investigation shows that when the system is detecting carrier currents the high frequency components exist and can be detected in the output circuit of VTz as well as VT1, showing that there is not an abrupt shift over in any part of the system from modulated carrier currents to audio frequency currents corresponding to the modulations.

Fig. 4 ls a system like that of Fig. 1 or Fig. 3, except that instead of connecting the plate circuit of VTz directly to the filament system it includes a resistance Rg in common with the grid circuit of VT1, so that any current changes in the plate circuit of VIz are impressed upon the grid of VTi. With a single three electrode tube a resistance common to the grid and plate circuits results in a deregenerative feed back, reducing or destroying the amplifying ability of such a system. In my system the phases of the actions in two adjacent tubes are diametrically opposed. so that with the 2tube combination shown in'Fig.

4 a resistance common to the plate circuit of thc i output tube and the grid circuit of the input tube results in a regenerative feed-back readily controlled in degree through selection of resistance of Rg, and the connection provides for some extremely interesting and useful results.

First of all, because of the aperiodic character of my system there is no tendency to the arrangement of Fig. 4 to break into oscillation at some definite frequency, as do reactive amplifiers, as the feed-back is increased, with the result that the amplifying ability of my system can be progressively increased to enormous proportions uniformly for the different frequencies of a wide range of frequencies. With this arrangement the system is not so critical to the use of high mu tubes for large amplification as is the case of the non-regenerative systems of Figs. 1 and 3. With the regenerative connection of Fig. 4 any tubes that will amplify at all will build the overall system up to very large amplification.

In one example of the action of the system of Fig. 4 the results are shown in the graphs of Fig.

5a in which ordinates represent plate current, in microamperes, 1pz, indicated by ammeter Am, and absciss represent negative grid volts, Ecl, im-

pressed upon VT; as to graphs 2, 3, and 4. Iny

this case commercial three-electrode tubes known as 301-A were used in both positions VT; andVTz, these tubes having a mu oi 8 and normally operating as ampliiiers with Q9 volts plate potential. Bz had a potential of 20 volts, B; a potential of4 volts, Rz a,` value of 71.5 megohms, and Re was variable from 0 to E1100 ohms. Graph 2 shows the Ear-Ie: relation with-RG equal to 0, that is no feed-backin operation. Graph 3 shows the same relation when RG has 900 ohms with which to cause feed-back. Graph 4 shows the same relationfwhen Re has 1100 ohms. 'Ihese graphs were piotted as the potential on the grid of VT; was progressively changed by swinging arm f along resistance R of potentiometer P. f i

By comparing graph 2, the no feed-back condition, with graphs 32and 4 involving feed-back, it is seen that the amplifying ability of the system is enormously increased, the straight portion of graph 4 being almost vertical.

A slight lincrease of Re over that responsible for graph '4 results in a sort of trigger action upon increasing the negative potential of the grid of VT; to the critical rise of the curve of the graph. This triggeraction constitutes suddenly causing the plate current of VT: to increase from a yery smail value to full value, andl being maintained in this-condition until something is done to iiterrupt it, such as reducing the negative potential on the grid of VTi a denite amount. This maintenance of the continuous ilow of piate current in VT: is due to the current being large enough to develop across feed-back resistanee Re a potential applied to the grid of VT; more than s ciently largeY to produce maximum elect on the plate current of VTz. ,Y L

This trigger effect may beused for example as .a trip relay, the potential of the grid of VTi being so adjusted at a point less than the critical potential that any desired actuating impulse of assisting polarity of direct surrent or alternating current introduced inteYY the grid circuit of VT; will supply the additional potential for bringing about the trigger action. The large and continuous ilow of current in the plate circuit of VT: can then be used for; actuating, and maintaining actuated, any formY of relay device. The systenr can be reset forurther operation in numerous simple gays, such as interrupting platecircuit of VTzfjthe grid circuit of VTi, or reducing the grid potential of VT1, which operations could well be carried out by the functioning of thedevice operated by the relay action. ff

If the adjustment of the arrangement of'Fig. 4 is'such as'to not make a graph too steep. land thus avoid the trigger action, the system is ilseablefas an amplier of very high amplifying gbility, the current effects to be ainplii-led being. int duced by some suitable input apparatus intof the gritcircuit of VT; as indicated at I cf Fig. 4.l

In order to further appreciate theleillciency ofA the system of Fig. 4, graph 1 is included in Fig. 5a. This graph shows the grid potential-plate current relation (the usual Ea-Iri curve of a` three-electrode tube) of one of the? type 301-A tubes used in Fig. 4 in plotting the graphs of Fig.

5a. Graph 1 is drawn to thesame scale as graphs 2, 3 and 4, and the relative steepnesses of graphs 3 and 4 to graph 1 pictorially impresses the great eiiiciency of the feed-back system of-Fig. 4. f

The progressive steepenirg of the graphs of Fig. 5a to 'the pointfof the trigger action brings out the freedom of the system from the tendency 1 is the usual grid potential-plate current curve y of a single one oiY the 340 type tubes. Graph 2 is the result withfresistance RG equal to 0, or no feed-back. Graph 3 resulted from feed-back had with Raequal to 300 ohms. Graph 5 resulted from Re equal to .320 ohms. Graph 4, the steepest, resulted from RG equal to 360 ohms. With Ro equal'to 1000 ohms, the system snapped into the trigger action somewhat as indicated by the f vertical dotted graph 6, and remained in state until the grid potential VT; was reduced sumcrently to bring about a reset or return to normal semewhat asindicated bythe dotted line Eishowing quite a hang-over between the triggering peint andthe recovery point. Reducing the feedback resistance Re lessened theldiil'erence between the triggering point and recovery point.

:For an examination of the sensitivenesaof the arrangement of Fig. 4 just above describedY as an eiectrical trigger, the arrangementI was set to be stable just below the trigger pointj'and so adjusted that the starting in operation of a miniature buzzer removed a distanceV of ten feet caused the device to trip as above described.

The ordinate and abscess relations of Fig. 5b

are the same as those speeiiled for Fig. 5a.

6 embodies some modiilcations over the feed-back system if Fig. 4. One modication is the elimination of the grid-biasing potentiometer arrangement in the grid circuit of VT1. The connection ofthe of VT; to the negative side of the lament system gives some negative potential thereon, and thisis supplementedby the flow of plate current of VVT: through resistance Ra to, -f

provide an additional or supplementing negative potential? The average value plate current of VT: and the value of Ro may be so chosen as to produce alone, or with the connection to the negative side;V oi' therrlament system, the required amount ot negative potential on the grid hf VT1, thereby eliminating the independent sojrce oi.' potential in the grid circuit.

Fig. 6 is also pre-vided with a tunable input circuit through transformer T and tuning condenser To. Modulated carrier currents Qmay be selectively introduced into the system, and are detected and regeneratively amplied nost eiectively,

thus making the system a radiogreceiver. The Y signal intensity increased greatly by increasing the value of RG, showing that the feed-back is eective for modulated garricr current energy also.

Cz'makes no perceptible cjnange in the signal in- The insertion of a .006 iicrofarad condenser at tensity, showing that the eed-back action isnot a radio frequency one. Such a condenserroil'ers very low impedarce to radio frequency current, and if the feed-back depended upon the high frequency component of theA energy the low imance of C2 would inaterialdy lessen the feed-back coupling and malga a most noticeable change in the signal intensity. i

A most interesting and useful effect is the conjoint actien of the feed-back effect and the non- 

